Typewriting machine



July 29, 1924.

.w; P. KIDDl-:R

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Original Filed July 25 '1919 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2' zza? 1,502,830 w.4 P. Klum-:Rr l

TYPEWR-IT-ING MACHINE July 29., 1924.

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* w. P. KIDDER TYPEWRITING MACHINE Original Filed July 25.

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Patented July 29, 1924.

UNIED STES PATENT OFFICE.

WELLINGTON P. KIDDER, OF JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BYY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 ROCHESTER INDUSTRIES, INC., OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application filed July 25,1919, Serial No. 313,177. Renewed December 24, 1)23.

T 0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WELLINGTON P. Klo- DER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamaica Plain, Boston, in the county of Suffolk, VState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to typewriting machines and more especially to a small portable machine.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of constructions and arrangements of parts in such manner as to provide a small portable typewriter having a universal keyboard.

A further object of the present invention is a typewriter of the character specified provided with a type-bar action having an accelerating movement and with the momentum of a substantially freely moving type-bar available for.printing impact.

A still further object of the present invention is a typewriter as specied and wherein the type-bars are radially arranged for longitudinal movement, and with actuating levers for the type-bars radially arranged directly beneath the type-bars in such manner that each type-bar and its respective lever move in substantially the same vertical plane.

Another object of the present invention is a type-bar action as specified and wherein the type-bar lever is connected to the key lever by means of a curved resilient link connection.

Another and important object of the present invention is a type-bar action of the character specified and wherein the key levers extend forwardly beneath the radially arranged sliding type-bars and actuating levers therefor, and with the key levers extending directly beneath the respective operating levers to which they are connected in such manner that the point of connections between the key lever, the operating lever, and the sliding type-bar, are all arranged in substantially the same vertical plane.

The present invention possesses many other advantageous features, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the followingdescription, wherein will be outlined in full thatform of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification.

In the drawings I have shown only one specific embodiment of my invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to such form, because my invention may be embodied in a multiplicity of forms, each being a species of my invention. It is also to be understood that by the claims succeeding the description of my invention I desire to cover the invention in whatsoever form it 'may be embodied.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like characters are used to represent like parts throughout the several figures thereof.

Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating the relation of parts, more particularly those of the type-bar action and key levers, and with the ribbon mechanism, feed mechanism, paper feed mechanism, etc., omitted.

Figure 2 is a skeletonized sectional view of a type-bar in position of rest.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a type-bar moved forward to printing position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through a small group of type-bars showing the manner of supporting the type-bars between the segment plates.

b Figure 5 is a perspective view of a type- Figure 6 is a diagrammatical view of the type-bar action.

Figure 7 is a plan view showing a portion of the top segmental plate removed, and illustrating other parts diagrammatically.

The need for a practical typewriting machine of exceedingly small dimensions has been long recognized in the art and many types of small machines have been developed. In the development of these machines there has been a tendency to depart from the standard keyboard either in crowding the keys or in using a different kind of arrangement of keys. In these attempts keywheel machines have been developed wherein a small compass has been obtained, but in most cases such machines have departed from the standard keyboard or were of such size as exceeded a pocket portable machine. In developing small machines the swinging bar typehas also been used, but in this type .itl has been found necessary to produce a relatively high machine which was also unadapted for pocket use.

The present invention overcomes the difficulty of the known prior art and comprises a standard keyboard machine of such compass as to be capable of being carried in an ordinary overcoat pocket, and in the embodiment and carrying out. of this invention various novel constructions have been employed.

, rl`he present invention, which will hereinafter be disclosed more in detail, resides more particularly in a type-bar action of the sliding bar kind. The action broadly comprises a segmentin which are mounted a plurality of multiple typed bars which are actuated by disk headed actuating levers mounted to swing on the plane of` movement of the type-bar and lconnected by curved resilient links with key levers arranged so that the paths of movement of the connections are all substantially in the same plane. There is a suiiicient looseness in the connections to permit the printing' totake place by impact of the type-bar due to the momentum of the type-bar..L Since the type-bar is thrown forward by an increasing accelerating movement a proper imprint is'obtained with a relatively light key touch.

Referring now to the drawings and more especially to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, the type-bar action comprises sliding type-bars 1, whichy are mounted to move in vertical radial planes that intersect at the printing point. The type-bars are arranged in a horizontal segment between a bottom plate 2 and a top plate 4. The bottom plate is slotted as at 5 beneath each type-bar and with the width of the slot less than the width of the type-bar to provide a guideway for the bar and a support on which the bar moves, also to provide space for the actuating levers, which will be referred to later. Each type-bar is grooved to provide lower tongues 6 and 7 on the lower part of thebar and an upper tongue S on the upper part of the bar. The lower tongues move in the slots and the upper tongues slide in radial grooves `provided in the top plate 4, whereby the type-bars are guided on their paths to the printing point where the final positioning` of the type is assisted by the aligning lingers 9 and 10. Each type-bar is provided with an actuating lever 11 which has a disk like head 12 that operates within a large slot 14 in the type-bar. These actuating levers 11 are mounted upon a pivot wire 15 which extends in a curve beneath the type-bar segment and is carried by a pair of posts 16 attached to the bottom plate 2, and a bracket 17 extending from the mid-portion of the bottom plate,

These actuating levers extend through the slots and swing in the same plane as the type-bar slides. Each actuating lever 11 is directly connected with a key lever 18 by means of a curved link 19 shaped somewhat like a fish-hook. This curved link is resilient and gives a pleasing touch to the action as well as to render the action light and quick. ik tension spring 2O may be provided between an arm on the link 11 and the key lever 18 whereby the parts are maintained in positions of rest with the type-bar in contact with the back of the segment, The paths of movement of the actuating construction which carries the type-bar from the position of rest to the printing point are all arrangerl in substantially the same plane and it will ybe noted that the depression of a key lever swings the actuating lever 11 until the center of the pivot thereof and the connecting points ofthe curved link are substantially all in line. as shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 6, wherein is illustrated diagrammatically the accelerating action due to the construction of the link and connected parts. In Figure 6 a diagram is made of the position of the disk head 12 and the point of impulse between the head and the type-bar for five positions of the key lever. The positions of the key lever are represented respectively by the letters ik', B, C. D, and E. These positions are all equally spaced apart and indicate a gradual downward movement of the key lever. A2, B2, C2, D2, and E2, indicate corresponding` positions of the connection between the link and the actuating lever. Since the disk 12 contacts with the straight side wall of the slot 14 the line of contact between the type-bar and the center of the disk will always be parallel to the line Y, which is the path of movement of the typebar. Therefore, the points A3, B3, C3, D3. and E3, indicate the travel of the type-bar during the movement of the key lever as specified. It will be noted that the movement of the type-bar is an accelerating movement and that the points A3, B3. C3, D3, and E3, increase in distance from the pivot point O as the type-bar .moves forward. This construction increases the effective length of the levers 11, as the lever swings forward and causes a very quick alive action of the type-bar.

Since the present application is a general one, but which relates more especially to the type-bar mechanism, the general features of this machine are not disclosed other than the general character or form. In reference tothe general features, the platen 46 is mounted on a carriage 47 which is actuated by a suitable spring drum 48, (Fig. 7 and the carriage 47 slides on the carriage bed 26.. The side frames or end plates 28 are provided with small swinging feet i9 which litt the frame slightly when the machine is in use to pelmit operation of the key levers without contact with the supporting table top 5() or other support as is shown in Figure 1. The space key lever 5l is pivoted as at 52 to swing upwardly and come within the cubical dimensions of the height and width of the machine frame so that the entire machine may be enclosed in a small cover. 54 indicated indotted lines in Figure l. A ribbon spool mechanism is carried on the cross-bars 27 and is operated by suitable constructions not at present disclosed.

lVhat I claim is:

l. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a slidably moving type-bar, an actuating lever for moving the type-bar said actuating lever operating within a space bounded by the planes of the sides of its respective type-bar, a key lever, a link operatively connecting the key lever and the actuating lever, said type-bar, said actuating lever, said key lever, and said link all moving in substantially the same vertical plane.

2. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidably moving type-bar, an actuating lever for moving the type-bar, an actuating head in the form of a disk on said lever, a key lever, a link operatively connecting the key lever and the actuating lever, said type-bar, said actuating lever, said key lever, and said link all moving in substantially the same vertical plane.

3. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidably moving type-bar, an actuating lever for moving the type-bar, an actuating head in the form of a disk on said lever, a key lever, a curved resilient link operatively connecting the key lever and the actuating lever, said type-bar, said actuating lever, said key lever, and said link all moving in substantially the same vertical plane.

4. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidably moving type-bar, an actuating lever for moving the type-bar and operative within the space comprising a projection of the horizontal cross-section of the type-bar, a key lever, a portion of said key lever extending beneath said actuating lever, a link operatively connecting the key lever and the actuating lever, said type-bar, said actuating lever, said key lever, and said link all moving in substantially the same vertical plane.

5. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidably moving type-bar, an actuating lever for moving the type-bar, an actuating head in the form of a disk on said lever, a key lever, a portion of said key lever extending directly beneath said actuating lever, a curved resilient link operatively connecting the key lever and the actuating lever, said type-bar, said actuating lever, said key lever, and said link all moving in substantially the same vertical plane.

6. In a typewriting machine the combination ofa slidably moving type-bar, said type-bar having a vertical slot therein, an actuating lever for moving the type-bar, an actuating head in the form of a disk on said lever, a key lever, a portion of said key lever extending directly beneath said actuating lever, a curved resilient link operatively connecting the key lever and theactuating lever, said type-bar, said actuating lever, said key lever, and said link all moving in substantially the same vertical plane.

7 In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidable type-bar, a bottom plate upon said type-bar which is adapted to slide, said bottom plate being provided with a slot, a projection from said type-bar extending into said slot, a shoulder on said Atype-bar riding upon said bottom plate, means to guide the upper edge of the said type-bar` and means to actuate the said type-bar.

8. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidable typebar, a key lever, connections operatively connecting said typebar with said key lever, said connections comprising a pivoted device and means whereby the point of connection between said pivot device and said type-bar changes as the key lever is depressed thereby to increase the effective length of said pivoted means.

9. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidably mounted type-bar, a key lever, operative connections between said key lever and said type-bar, said connections comprising an actuating lever, and means.

on the actuating lever and operatively connecting said actuating lever with said typebar. in such manner that the effective length of said actuating lever is increased as the key is depressed.

l0. In a typewriting machine the combination of a short slidable type-bar, guiding means Jfor said type-bar, said guiding means comprising an open slot, a tongue on the type-bar, and a supporting plate extending substantially adjacent to the printing point, and actuating means for said type-bar.

11. In a typewriting machine the combination of a short slidable type-bar, guiding means for said type-bar, said guiding means comprising an open slot, a tongue on the type-bar, and a. supporting plate extending substantially adjacent to the printing point, and actuating means delivering a straight forward push to said type-bar.

12. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidable type-bar, a bottom plate upon said type-bar which is adapted to slide, said bottom plate being provided with a slot, a projection from said type-bar extend.- ing into said slot, a shoulder on Said type- 'a liver forces bar riding upon said bottom plate, means to guide the upper edge of the said typebar, and means to actuate the said type-bar, said actuating means being adapted to deparallel to the aXis of the typebar.

13. In a typewriting machine the combination of a short slidable type-bar, a long bottom plate upon said type-bar Which is adapted to slide, said bottom plate being provided With a slot, a projection from said type-bar extending intosaid slot, a shoulder on said type-bar riding upon said bottom plate, means to guide the upper edge of the said type-bar, an aligner adjacent the printing point whereby the aligner guides one end of the type-bar and the projection guides the other end, and means to actuate the said type-bar, said actuating means being adapted to deliver forces parallel to the aXis of the type.

14. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidable type-bar, a key lever, connections operatively connecting said typebar with said key lever, said connections comprising a pivoted device, and means comprising a disk head on the pivoted device and a slot in the type-bar whereby the point ot connection between said pivoted device and said type-bar changes as the key lever is depressed to increase the effective length of said pivoted means.

l5. In a typewriting machine the combination of a slidably Imounted type-bar, a key lever, operative connections between salid key lever and said type-bar, said connections comprising an actuating lever, and means comprising a large curved-faced head bearing against a straight side Wall atV right angles to the axis of the type-bar and operatively connecting said actuating lever with said type-bar in such manner that the effective length of said actuating lever is increased as the key is depressed.

WELLINGTON P. KIDDER. 

